Platinum benefits pulled back at BNE Pullman airport

[goldenhorn]

I was just reading in one of the Facebook groups that the Pullman Brisbane Airport has downgraded one of their platinum benefits.

Previously you could sit in the bar area as a platinum and have free drinks for 90 minutes and they would bring you a plate of canapés.

My partner and I I’ve done this a couple of times before we’ve had an international trip the next day and it’s been a wonderful experience - fantastic bartenders, friendly staff -all very cheerful.

So extremely disappointed to hear that without notice they have now limiting the platinum benefits to 2 drinks per person (I assume for you and your guest) and a plate of canapés.

I’m booked to stay there in four weeks before my trip to Vietnam. On a 9 am flight the next morning but I’ve now booked the Sofitel Central so I can receive the full platinum benefits and enjoy an afternoon tea as well.

It will mean parking the car at the airport and then catching an Uber back to the Sofitel and then back the next morning but frankly, I think it’s worth it.

Is it just me or does this kind of scrimping annoy other Accor platinum members?

 

[markis10]

It will mean parking the car at the airport and then catching an Uber back to the Sofitel and then back the next morning but frankly, I think it’s worth it.

What’s wrong with the air train, the Sofitel is a long walk from the station…..?

 

[goldenhorn]

What’s wrong with the air train, the Sofitel is a long walk from the station…..?

Excellent idea - didn't even think of it...(NSW resident here.)

 

[RooFlyer]

This is my regular when visiting Brisbane - I'm usually there for 2 nights (in from HBA in the pm and out in the am) and need a rental car for the day in between, so pick it up from the adjacent car park in the am and drop it off in evening (using the back-gate short cut from/to the hotel). Shame about the limitation, but an upside may be that it might move people on a bit. Last 2 times I couldn't get a seat except at the bar because of limited seating and some immovables.

I just booked it again this afternoon.

but I’ve now booked the Sofitel Central so I can receive the full platinum benefits and enjoy an afternoon tea as well.

That's my other stay in Brisbane - but I think the club set-up is a bit grim. Eats are cheese, cold cuts, salad-type things, with some canapes brought around if you time it right. Drinks are a via queue at a temp bar down one end. @Port Power and I had a gin & tonic each there not long ago and they were odd - neither of us finished.

 

[jase05]

This is my regular when visiting Brisbane - I'm usually there for 2 nights (in from HBA in the pm and out in the am) and need a car for the day in between, so pick it up from the adjacent car park in the am and drop it off in evening (using the back-gate short cut from/to the hotel). Shame about the limitation, but an upside may be that it might move people on a bit. Last 2 times I couldn't get a seat except at the bar because of limited seating and some immovables.

I just booked it again this afternoon.



That's my other stay in Brisbane - but I think the club set-up is a bit grim. Eats are cheese, cold cuts, salad-type things, with some canapes brought around if you time it right. Drinks are a via queue at a temp bar down one end. @Port Power and I had a gin & tonic each there not long ago and they were odd - neither of us finished.

Sadly the Sofitel Brisbane isn’t a patch on what it once was and agree wholeheartedly about the club setup.

 

[goldenhorn]

Sadly the Sofitel Brisbane isn’t a patch on what it once was and agree wholeheartedly about the club setup.

How long ago was the Sofitel better?

I was there for 1 night a couple of weeks ago (first time) and quite enjoyed it but it was a Saturday night and there was a crush for eats and drinks right at 5:30pm. A bit frantic but all calmed down within 30 min.

I had a Negroni at the bar down the end and it was very good. All other drinks were self serve and the canapés they brought around were very tasty. The sparkling wine was quite nice (I usually expect swill) But agree with @RooFlyer that the spread is nothing too special.

Shame about the limitation, but an upside may be that it might move people on a bit. Last 2 times I couldn't get a seat except at the bar because of limited seating and some immovables.

Yes perhaps that could be a plus. It’s a very small bar and not that many tables and chairs so fills up quickly.

 

[markis10]

The Sofitel for like it better or worse is the best Accor have to offer in BNE. The club has moved from a small space on the second top floor to adjacent the bar then to the top floor over the last twenty years. It’s now back downstairs but is still the best on offer in town. With no Hilton, mediocre Marriott offerings and a Hyatt that used to be a country comfort, competition is hardly dragging the bar higher.

 

[RooFlyer]

I had a Negroni at the bar down the end and it was very good. All other drinks were self serve

( Quotes not working).

Sometimes there is self serve, sometimes not. Asked them about this last time and they said they’ll bring out the self-serve when it’s particularly busy.

 

[goldenhorn]

I had a Negroni at the bar down the end and it was very good. All other drinks were self serve

( Quotes not working).

Sometimes there is self serve, sometimes not. Asked them about this last time and they said they’ll bring out the self-serve when it’s particularly busy.

Interesting. Yeah it was really busy and completely full so they definitely needed self serve that night.

 

[jase05]

How long ago was the Sofitel better?

I’m talking about a while back, maybe 10 years or so. As a Platinum back then we nearly always got upgraded to a suite from the lowest room category and if not a suite it would be the highest non suite category. Lounge offerings and breakfast was fantastic and just had a really good feel about it. Even around Covid time we had a couple of good stays there but in the 2-3 years I just feel it’s dropped off a bit. The lounge offerings have diminished and upgrades as a Diamond are only one or 2 room categories with a rare suite upgrade.
We only stay there once a twice a year these days so perhaps my PCV is low there